Can you tell if these Australorp chicks are girls or boys?

[NewChickenMom69]

I was so lucky to have a 6 out of 7 eggs hatch of Australorp chicks. I would like the thin out the flock as early as possible since we are not allowed to have rosters. I tried to vent sexing, we also looked at the wings and had doubts on several of the chicks. the chicks are now 12 days old. There are 4 chicks with brighter combs growing and no tail feathers yet and 2 with dull smaller combs and a full set of tail feathers. would the brighter comb chicks be roosters and the duller comb chicks be the hens or is it to early to tell? Looking forward to hear from anyone on their opinion. I posted pictures of two of the little ones..

 

[ilovemydog]

I say first possibly roo and the second a pullet.

 

[NewChickenMom69]

Thank you for your reply ilovemydog. I wanted to have opinions before I make any moves for the questionable rooster chicks...

 

[warmwater]

I'm no expert, but I would say wait another few weeks. I have two BA's, now 11 weeks old. I got them at the feed store when they were two weeks old. They looked like your chicks (one of each) in your pictures...they are both pullets.

In a few weeks you'll be able to tell better. Hope this helps.

 

[countrygoddess]

I agree with warmwater: wait a few more weeks. Any cockerels won't start crowing for some time anyway, so you'll have plenty of time to figure out the girls from the boys.

 

[gardendufus]

My australorp cockerel was obviously developing red comb and wattles by about 7 weeks ( might have been even earlier). At that point the difference in development between him and the pullets was obvious. When I re-homed him at 11 weeks he STILL had not started crowing. I'd sure wait until you were absolutely sure he was a he.

 

[NewChickenMom69]

Thank you everyone.. I am afraid I will get attached. I love the whole egg hatching process, but do not like the uncertainty of the rooster head count. I was getting desperate I even tried the ring on a string test, that was saying 2 roos and 4 hens. Time will tell and I will just have to wait. I will post more pictures in a few more weeks